Nationwide — Meet Maddie Oliphant, the primary African-American to be topped Miss Mississippi Teen USA, a title she earned after three makes an attempt. At 19 years outdated, Oliphant, a Hickory native, is utilizing her platform to encourage others and push for higher entry to books for younger youngsters throughout the state.
Oliphant, a pupil at East Central Neighborhood School, launched her undertaking, Maddie’s Little Library, in honor of her youthful brother Evan. Identified with autism at age 3, Evan’s studying expertise improved by day by day studying periods along with her. That have impressed her to assist different youngsters uncover the ability of books.
By her platform, Oliphant plans to prepare ebook drives and donate books to daycares, preschools, and native libraries. Her mission is to develop early childhood studying throughout Mississippi and encourage group involvement.
“As a result of it’s folks such as you and me and concepts like Maddie’s Little Library who can develop this group, and that’s precisely what I plan to do,” Oliphant advised WLBT.
Profitable the crown took three years of effort, however Oliphant stated the journey made the victory sweeter. Oliphant hopes her journey will inspire younger women, particularly women of colour, to maintain going irrespective of how lengthy it takes.
She credit her small city for serving to her attain this milestone. She stated, “I consider that I couldn’t have completed this with out my small city and the help I had there. I wish to give again to them, I wish to spotlight the small companies in my city that basically poured into me and I wish to do them the smallest little favor by simply giving again to them.”
Oliphant additionally thanked her household, coaches, and make-up artist Stephanie Moore for serving to her achieve the boldness to maintain going. With a full 12 months forward, she plans to develop her platform and hold empowering others by her story.
